CBC Prince Edward Island

Island Morning
with Mitch & Matt

Island Morning's live blog

What's on Next

Friday on Island Morning...

We are broadcasting live from the Georgetown Conference... looking at ways to help rural communities overcome challenges and we'll be sharing stories who've seen what works... and what needs to work.

Zita Cobb left Fogo Island to make a very successful career, before retiring and returning to Newfoundland to run a foundation to help her small community prosper.

Alberta MLA Doug Griffiths has written a book on lessons learned from rural life... called 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.

And...He has a built a business anyone in a major city would like to own but he's done it all out of Collingwood, Nova Scotia. We'll talk with John Bragg...

...on 96.1 FM.

Gypsies and Georgetown - Fran Llewellyn

Posted by Bill van Asperen

FranLlewellyn.jpgGeorgetown was a very different place a century ago. And with the Georgetown Conference and talk about rural revitalization looming, we thought we'd talk to one of Georgetown's oldest residents about how the town has changed over the years.

Fran Llewellyn is 100 years old, and has seen the fishing town go from a boom to bust... with people struggling to find food. She also shares her memories from her childhood, when parents would scare their children with rumours about the Gypsies stealing animals... and children. She spoke with the CBC's Lindsay Carroll.

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Rare PEI currency goes up for Auction

Posted by Bill van Asperen

GeoffreyBellRareCoins.jpgFour rare pieces of currency from PEI's past are up for auction at one of the country's biggest coin shows. The Toronto Coin Expo starts today. Geoffrey Bell is the founder of Bell Auctions of Moncton. He's selling the three Island coins and banknote -- including one that's more than 200 years old.

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2014 Funds - Changing approved proposals?

Posted by Bill van Asperen

1864vsCanRocks.jpgThe Confederation Centre had been promised a 240 thousand dollar grant from PEI 2014, part of which was to go toward the new musical "1864". But two weeks ago, the Centre said it couldn't afford to do the show and amended its application for the 2014 funds.

If Confederation Centre is allowed to dramatically change its application for 2014 funding, does that open the door for others to change their proposals? Island Morning talks with Penny Walsh McGuire, Executive Director of PEI 2014 Inc., about how the Board determines how much an approved project can be changed.

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1864 Musical - 240 Thousand Dollar Question?

Posted by Bill van Asperen

CanadaRocks1864Musical.jpgThe Confederation Centre got approval from the 2014 fund to mount a new local production called "1864: the Musical", written by Islanders Perry Williams and Peter Bevan-Baker. The Confederation Centre had been promised a 240 thousand dollar grant from PEI 2014... part of which was to go toward the new musical.

But 1864: the Musical has been cancelled. So the question is... what happens to the grant money? CBC's Sara Fraser spoke with Penny Walsh, Executive Director of the PEI 2014 Committee, and the writer, Perry Williams. Last week she spoke with Jessie Inman, Confederation Centre of the Arts CEO.

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US Shutdown - UPEI Professor Bruce Craig

Posted by Bill van Asperen

USShutdown.jpgWhen the U.S shut down its federal offices 17 years ago...it meant late pension cheques for many...but for some federal employees, it was a 2 week paid vacation. Bruce Craig is a UPEI professor. He was working in Washington at the time, and dropped by the studio to tell us about his experiences, and what the US partial shut-down could mean this time.

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Before I Die - Chalkboard Project

Posted by Bill van Asperen

BeforeIDieChalkboardProject.jpgA global arts project which started in New Orleans after Katrina comes to Charlottetown. Right now a chalkboard on the corner of Richmond and Queen is offering just that and Islanders are loving the "Before I Die" board.

Patrick Faller talked to a couple of people involved in the art installation, Alanah Yankov and Hannah Bell, who are with the Guild. The "Before I Die" chalkboard project received $400 funding from Culture Days to cover off some of the material costs and installation.

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PEI Pharmacists Hoping For New Regulations

Posted by Bill van Asperen

ErinMacKenziePharmacists.jpgThe PEI Pharmacists Association hopes new regulations are released soon that will allow them to treat minor ailments. By this time next year, you might be able to walk into a pharmacy and get your flu shot. Pharmacists in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick already have these extra privileges.

Erin MacKenzie is the executive director of PEI Pharmacists Association and she dropped into Island Morning to let us know what Island pharamacists hope to see in those new rules.

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Compost Drops 24 Percent Over 4 Years

Posted by Bill van Asperen

CompostWaste.jpgThe amount of compost collected on PEI dropped 24 per cent over four years. Island Waste Management says maybe some homeowners could do a better job sorting their trash. From banana peels to coffee grinds... Kerry Campbell talks compost and looks at the figures

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Conservation Plates Fund Habitat Improvements

Posted by Bill van Asperen

ConservationPlates.jpgPEI now has special conservation license plates available for sale. The plates look like the new single-design plates, with the optional five iconic Island species. A red fox, Canada goose, speckled trout, lady slipper or a blue jay. Duncan Crawford is a member of the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund committee, and joined us to explain how these new plates will raise funds for projects to help improve habitat.

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PEI pumpkins are bigger than ever

Posted by Bill van Asperen

PEIPumpkins.jpgIt's the year of great pumpkins in PEI. And if you think the bigger the pumpkin... the better, well, you're in luck this year. The Island's summer weather made for bigger pumpkins than usual. CBC's Robyn Miller tromped through the pumpkin patch to speak with some Island growers.

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